TV & Showbiz

First images of new ITV drama starring Happy Valley’s James Norton released

James Norton? Oh we will be tuning in.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 30th November 2023

The first images of a brand-new ITV drama series starring Happy Valley’s James Norton have just been released, and it already looks like a must-watch.

I think it’s fair to say that we all fell in love with James Norton when he depicted the evil villain of Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley over recent years, right? So, if like us, you’ve missed tuning in to watch an absolute masterclass in acting from the Yorkshire-born actor on Sunday evenings, then you’ll be chuffed to know he’s set to be back on our TV screens soon.

The 38-year-old has a starring role in a new ITV drama named ‘Playing Nice’.

The new psychological thriller – which is based on JP Delaney’s 2020 novel – follows two couples who devastatingly discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up, and we can already predict it will send shivers down our spine.

The two couples then face a horrifying dilemma of either keeping their sons that they raised, or reclaiming their biological kids, and while a solution is agreed upon, it soon becomes clear that there are hidden motives at play – with the couples unsure about how much they can trust each other.

ADVERTISEMENT
The first images of new ITV drama starring Happy Valley’s James Norton have been released / Credit: ITV

Set in Cornwall, James Norton will play the role of Pete, and will star alongside Niamh Algar, James McArdle, and Jessica Brown Findlay.

Speaking on the new series ahead of it airing, Helen Perry – who is ITV’s Drama Commissioner – commented: “Playing Nice is an enthralling thriller with a knotty moral dilemma at its heart. Not only will viewers be hooked, they’ll be left questioning ‘What would I do?’. As Grace Ofori-Attah’s superb script raises questions about the nature of parenting and how far we’ll go for those we love.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Writer Grace Ofori-Attah added: “It has been an absolute privilege to adapt JP Delaney’s gripping novel for the screen.

Read more:

“I am thrilled to be working with Rabbit Track and Studiocanal, as well as our incredible cast and production team, and I’m also excited to be partnering with ITV again on my second drama series, and can’t wait for Playing Nice to hit TV screens next year.”

‘Playing Nice’ is set to air in 2024, and we’ll be binging it in no time.

Featured Image – ITV

TV & Showbiz

Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap

Danny Jones Danny Jones Wayne Rooney joining The Overlap cast

Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.

Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.

Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.

They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.

As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon

‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.

Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.

The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…

Wayne Rooney confirms he has had offers to take part in a boxing match

Read more:

Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.

Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.

With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Overlap/Wayne Rooney (via Instagram)

TV & Showbiz

Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years

Danny Jones Danny Jones Paddy McGuiness work in progress show Bury tickets

Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.

McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.

However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.

Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.

The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.

His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.

Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”

Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’ not Greater Manchester
It’s giving ‘No, Stockport is Cheshire’.

Read more:

But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.

As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.

Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.

You can grab yours HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images

More TV & Showbiz

Peter Kay statement after Co-op Live gigs cancelled for the second time

Gigs & Nightlife

Peter Kay’s statement in full as his Co-op Live gigs are postponed for SECOND time

Bolton

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’ not Greater Manchester

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball with her beloved mum Julia Peckham. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball

News

Zoe Ball announces death of her ‘dear mama’ just weeks after cancer diagnosis

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches